Introduction to Light Trapping in Solar Cell and Photo-detector Devices

Preface

I have been very involved in light trapping and carrier collection in solar cells for quite some time. While these two phenomena are really very intertwined, as I discussed in my 2010 Elsevier book “Solar Cell Device Physics,” this work concentrates on the light-trapping aspect. The attempt here is to look systematically at light trapping and to explore, in a short and concise manner, how it can be accomplished. Polarization effects are only very briefly mentioned since the intent is to capture the essence of light trapping. My interest is solar cells but photo-detectors are mentioned explicitly here and there and the applicability of the discussion to such devices should be obvious.

I am very indebted to Drs Atilla Ozgur Cakmak and ...